I have a “cookie” from the butt end of an ash log that was cut several months?? ago and is beginning to crack. The “cookie” is about 4 in thick and 20 in in diameter.
I want to preserve this specimen to use in a nature class studying growth rings, etc.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to stop the cracking and what, if any, finish to apply to stop deterioration.
Thanks in advance.
Doc
Replies
doc,
Not a lot you can do to stop the cracking. You can make a cut into the center from the outside edge, that will concentrate all the movement in that area. You'll end up with a "pacman" instead of a cookie.
Ray
Ditto what Joiners said.
The only option that I'm aware of would be to have a blacksmith make an iron tire for your cookie, and to put that tire onto the wood while the iron is red hot.
As the metal cools, it will contract -- maybe enough so that as the wood dries out and contracts, the iron will still hold it together.
Its a long shot that has lass than 50% chance.......
Good luck.
I have heard that you can soak wood in PEG , polyetheline glycol, and that it will replace the water and prevent shrinkage cracking, but I don't know where you get it, whether there are any hazzards, or how long it takes to work. I first heard of it in connection with stabilizing green wood for turning. Anyone out there fill in the blanks ?
To the best of my knowledge it cannot be stopped under normal circumstances. Even extreme measures such as metal hoops will not work. Abnormal circumstances - water replacement with PEG, or encasing the entire thing in a thick epoxy casting so that it will remain forever "green". Best to just let it crack and show the nature class another aspect of nature.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
http://www.preservation-solutions.com/faq-pentacryl.php
Forget PEG...old outdated technology. Pentacryl will do what you want. It can be done. Available from Woodcraft and other source but the link provided will give you the tech info.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled